What 600 Military Dentists Learned in Three Days at Fort Gordon

USU’s Postgraduate Dental College Designs and Showcases Training, Resident-led Research, and Clinical Skills Development at Fort Gordon for Joint Force Dentists at Endo-Perio-Prosth Short Course.

A wide shot of a dimly lit auditorium where a male U.S. Army officer in a dress uniform presents from a podium. The large projection screen displays detailed clinical dental imagery, including an x-ray and close-up photographs of a surgical periodontal procedure. Military attendees are seated in the auditorium rows to the right.
Military dentists from the Army, Navy, and Air Force participate in the Fort Gordon Endo-Perio-Prosth Short
Course, developed and led by faculty from USU’s Postgraduate Dental College, gaining advanced skills,
engaging with resident-led research, and applying practical clinical insights. (Courtesy photo)

March 18, 2026 by Sharon Holland

Each year, military dentists from the Joint Force come together to sharpen their skills, exchange ideas, and stay at the forefront of clinical care. The Fort Gordon Endo-Perio-Prosth Short Course ensures they remain equipped to deliver exceptional care wherever the mission takes them. 

Designed specifically for clinicians serving in the Military Health System, the three-day course, held March 16-18, 2026, at Fort Gordon, Ga., delivered 17 hours of high-quality continuing education to nearly 605 attendees, both in person and virtually. Participants from the Army, Navy, and Air Force engaged with cutting-edge content and practical clinical insights directly applicable to patient care in operational and installation settings.   

A female U.S. Army officer in an Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform smiles and speaks into a microphone on stage, gesturing warmly with her hands. Beside her, Capt. (P) Justin Galliani, wearing an Army Service Uniform, stands at a wooden podium, smiling and looking down. A bronze plaque and lettering on the wall behind them read "Theodore W. High Auditorium."
The annual course serves as both a
learning platform and a leadership
development opportunity for military
providers. By integrating education,
mentorship, and professional
development, the program helps
shape a generation of military dental
leaders equipped to deliver world-class
care anytime, anywhere. (Courtesy photo)

“What makes this course particularly impactful is its dual role as both a learning platform and a leadership development opportunity,” said Dr. Drew Fallis, Executive Dean for the Uniformed Services University (USU)'s Postgraduate Dental College (PDC). “It was designed and orchestrated by PDC faculty, and presentations were delivered by PDC faculty and postgraduate residents in endodontics, periodontics, and prosthodontics—teaching and training within Advanced Dental Education programs aligned with the PDC. These residents are challenged not only to master their specialties, but also to contribute meaningfully to the profession by developing and presenting scholarly work at a national level.”  

The result, Fallis said, is a dynamic exchange of knowledge that blends innovation with experience. Attendees benefit from exposure to emerging techniques and technologies in dental care, while also reinforcing time-tested treatment strategies essential for delivering reliable outcomes in diverse and often resource-constrained environments.

Equally important, the course serves as a gateway for dental officers to learn more about Long Term Health Education and Training (LTHET) opportunities. By highlighting these advanced training pathways, the program supports the continued professional growth of military dentists and helps ensure a pipeline of highly skilled specialists ready to meet the evolving needs of the force.

“The Endo-Perio-Prosth short course represents more than continuing education—it is a strategic investment in readiness,” said Fallis. “By integrating education, mentorship, and professional development, we’re helping shape a generation of military dental leaders equipped to deliver world-class care anytime, anywhere.”